Every booklover loves "84 Charing Cross Road" by the American writer Helene Hanff about her friendship with Frank Doel, chief buyer of Marks & Co at 84 Charing Cross Road, through their transatlantic letters from 1949 to 1969.
The story is about love of books and words, and a friendship built on trust and love of books. Helen was warm and generous. The people in the bookshop became her family. She sent them parcels of food that were still subject to rationing in post-World War II's England.
Such was their fate that Helene Hanff and Frank Doel never met. Frank died in December 1968 from peritonitis from a burst appendix, and the bookshop then closed. Helene visited Charing Cross Road in the summer of 1971. She stood in front of the empty shop. Sorrow engulfed her.
I paid homage to 84 Charing Cross Road during one of my business trips to London in 1983. By then a busy restaurant did a roaring trade where the bookshop had once been. All that was left was a plaque inscribed, "84 Charing Cross Road. The booksellers Marks & Co. were on this site which became world renowned through the book by Helene Hanff".
The charming little book was later turned into a stage play, a television play, and a beautiful film starring Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins. The film - which you can watch in full length above - and the book - an audio recording of which you can listen to here - are equally charming.
Why am I blogging about it now? Because I found this rather rare movie on a DVD in an op-shop yesterday. Although I already have a copy of it, I thought I'll give it a temporary home until I find someone who'd really appreciate it. If you would like me to send it to you, let me know.
